Delegates to the QSI World Sport Conference in Qatar today made repeated calls for assistance from sportswear giants like Nike and adidas in providing sports clothing which is both practical and competitive while meeting the requirements of the Islamic faith which demands modest dress.
Qatar will host the massive, multi-sport Asian Games in 2006 but the participation of is women athletes is likely to be restricted if a solution to the dilemma cannot be found.
Donna de Verona, who won Olympic Gold medals for the US before carving out a successful career in sports broadcasting, gave her support to the overwhelming wish for support among the 300 or so Muslim women in the audience at the Conference center of the Sheraton Hotel in Doha.
“I cannot accept that women from this region cannot compete in events at the Olympics simply because they don’t have the right equipment,” she said.
A delegate from Iran offered to put her National Olympic Committee’s experience at the disposal of the global sportswear companies.
“Iran will help. We have been dealing with this issue for the last 20 years and we are currently preparing ideas to allow women to take part in about 15 sports” she said.
“If the industry is concerned enough to take part in solving this problem it will Muslim women to take past in most events.”
Members of the audience also criticised the western–dominated sportswear, sponsorship and sports marketing sectors, accusing them of exploiting women athletes.
One male member of the Qatar Olympic committee said that male athletes were generally “more decently” dressed than women.
“They are using women just for publicity, just look at tennis and track and field."
He was loudly applauded as he concluded: “Non Muslim women should also be keen not to allow themselves to be exploited by others.”
